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. 2023 May-Jun;71(3):101964.
doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101964. Epub 2023 Mar 10.

Antenatal care experiences of uninfected pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative systematic review

Jee Young Joo  1 , Megan F Liu  2
Affiliations

Antenatal care experiences of uninfected pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative systematic review

Jee Young Joo et al. Nurs Outlook. 2023 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background: There is a limited understanding of pregnant women's antenatal care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To review and synthesize qualitative studies on uninfected pregnant women's antenatal care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Five databases were searched for qualitative studies published between January 2020 and January 2023. This study used a thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence and was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Furthermore, this review was registered with PROSPERO and a quality appraisal was assessed.

Results: Nine published qualitative studies were included in this review. The studies were conducted in eight countries and included 3,709 participants. Five themes were identified: (a) disruptions of normal antenatal care services, (b) feelings of uncertainty, (c) desire for sufficient spousal support, (d) coping strategies, and (e) trust in health care providers.

Discussion and conclusion: The themes can be utilized to reform current interventions for pregnant women by nurse-midwife managers and by health care policymakers to improve current practice and direct new research to prepare for future pandemics.

Keywords: Antenatal care; COVID-19; Experience; Midwifery; Nurse; Pregnancy; Qualitative studies; Qualitative synthesis; Qualitative systematic review.

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Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA 2020 flow. From: Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. British Medical Journal, 372, n71. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
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